Timed intermitter



Sept. 1, 1943. cj M O Y 2,328,841

TIMED INTERMITTER Filed Jan. 21, 1941 'INVENTOR Charles M OZeary I BY 7 1A TTORNE Y from,.the,lower, end of the casing.

Patented Sept. 7, 1943 7 TIMED INTERMITTER CharlesM. OLeary,:Houston, Tex. 1 Application January 21, 1941, Serial No. 375,158 F A '16 Claims. (o1.10s- -2s2') The present invention relates generally to de-f vicesand apparatus for intermittently fiowinghil from oil wells, and more particularly'to what are known as bottom hole intermitters by means of which oil is intermittently forced tothe surface bycasing pressure through tubing 'within the casing in'cycles during a portion of each of which i cycles oil is permitted to rise to a head in the tubing above an intermitter valve while casing pressure is 'cut off, and during the other portion of which flow of oil above the valve is cut off and i casing pressureis admitted through the valve to blow the header slug of oil, previously admitted thereabove, to the surface; ,7

,7 The primary object of ,the present inventioni s, the provision of an intermitter valve unit of the, above type, which will be effective and unfailing in action; which will be positive under low differ entials of pressure, and which willreadily lend itself to disposition in a well either upon the lower, end of outflow tubing or upon an adjustable meansof anchoring the same within such tubing so as to open at its upper end therein. e 1 In the accompanying drawing a preferred form of the invention is shown, and willnow be described in detail with the understanding that such modificationsand changes may be madetherein, as fall within the terms, of thefollowing claims. In the drawing, which forms a part of this specification, V

Figure 1 is an enlarged detail View in vertical longitudinal section, of the intermitter valve unit of the present invention, and

e Figures 2 and3 are enlarged detail transverse sectional views, taken respectively on lines 22 and 3- -3 of Figurel, e

Byreference to the accompanying drawing, it

, thiswall orbarrier 42, the tubular liquidstem 43 depends with itslower fopenfend below the wall, the latter being otherwise imperforate to. effecparts around the stem 43. e H The cross wall 42 also forms a stationary abute inent for'the upper end of a controlling spring 4 5, whose function will presently appear; .The

, lower end of this,spring engages amovable abut- 'ment disc 46, adjustably threaded on the lower end portionof stem 43 and normally held in. ad-

justed position by a lock nut 41;

, Thecross wall 42 is securely held betweenthe upper internally shouldered end of the lower secwillbenoted that a cylindrical casingfll houses the intermitter valve assembly of the present in vention. As best seen in Figure 1,th is casing ll is open at its upperfend where it, is adapted for connection in anysuitable manner to the outflow tubing of an oil well andis in communicationlat its lower end, through afootvalve 40, witha tubing extension l6 connected to, and depending It is to be understood that, in practicethe casing II' will open at its upper end into theoutflow tubing, and that the depending tubingjextensi'on l 0 will open at its lower end into theproduction zone of the well, belowthe normalsurface orlevel of oil.

As best seen in Figure 1 foot valve 40 is dis-A posed in a lower section 4! of casing vI l', 'whieh section 4! also houses at its upperend a horizontal cross wall or barrier 42; Centrally through tion 4 I of easing ii and the threadedly connected lower, end of an intermediate valve section 4.8 of said,casing, the latter forming therein a valve cylinderand having radial gas orpressure receiving openings through the lower portion of its wall, as seen at 49. e H h Within, the valve or cylinder section 48 is a slidably. interfitting piston 50, situated above the openings 49, and clamped on an axial. tube 5 l whose lower threaded, end is engaged by a threadedbox on the upper endoi the liquid stem 43 with which the tube 5| is communicatingly alined- 1 The piston 50, which has an annular. series of openings 53therethrough parallel to its axis for the upward passage of easing pressure entering the openings 49, has an upper head 54, connected thereto by a reduced neck portion 55.. The head 54 is in the form of an upw'ardly tapering frustun ofia con e, and forms the main or pressure valve, being adapted, when the piston is in uppermost position, to seat, upwardly againsta valve seatring 56. This ringis fixed in the upper sec tion 5] of the casing, H, the lower end of which section is threadedly connected to the upper end ofvalve section 48.

The axial tube 5| has an, external shoulder 58 above the valve head 54 and anupward extension ,This housing 6] has at its lower end an internal flange 62 forming a valve seat on which the valve head ,60 seats in a downward direction when the piston 50 is in its lowermost position, as in Figure 1-, tothus prevent outflow of liquid rising through the stem 43 and tube 5l. e e e 'Ifhe housing 160 isclamped axially of,'and I "spaced from; the upper casing section5'l, through a cross wall 63, by means of a cap member 64,

which closes the upper end of the housing so that the latter thus forms a chamber around the upper end of the liquid inlet channel through stem 43 and tube 51.

The cross wall 63 has an annular series of openings therethrough around the housing ii I, to permit of upflow of liquid from the well when the valve 60 is unseated, and upfiow of gas pressure when the valve 54 is unseated. These valves plainly move as a unit, with the tube 5| and stem 43, one being seated when the other is unseated.

- It is obvious from the foregoing that when the intermitter valve unit in its casing ll is lowered and anchored within a well, it may be positioned at a point where the extension tubing l0 depends into the liquid of the well, with the con- I troling pressure inlet openings 49 above the liquid level. As thus positioned,.casin'ggas pressure above the liquid level enters the said openings I 49, such pressure acting on the liquid in the well and in connection with the intermittent .,valve,

since it is commonly prevented, by the use of asuitable' packer (not shown) from passing directlyinto the well tubing orcasing.

In Figure 1 the parts of the intermitter valve unit are shown with the gas or pressure valve 54 lowered from its seat to the position it as sumes during the upflow of gas pressure for the blowing of a column or slugof oil upwardly in the welltubing to. discharge, the parts being held in this position by liquid pressure on valve 60 plus the tension of controling spring 45 as well as the back pressure, caused by the rising liquid head, on valve 54 and the upper surface of piston 50. When, however, the column or slug of oil in the tubing has been discharged, and there is a consequent pressure drop above the intermitter, casing pressure against the lower surface of the piston. 50 immediately starts upward'movement of the intermitter valve unit.

The initial upward movement of the piston 50 unseats the liquid controlvalve 60 against thev closing pressure of liquid thereon, and

' against the tension of spring 45, and sincevalve 60 is thus relieved of closing pressure when unseated, the piston then quickly completes its upward movement until pressure control valve 54 is seated upwardly against'seat ring 56 with substantially a, snap action.

The pressure control valve 54 being thus closed and liquid control valve 50 being open, liquid tubing [0 under casing'pressure,. lifting foot valve 40, and passes through stem. 43 and tube on valve 54 gradually increases until this pressure, plus the adjusted tension of spring 45, reaches a point where the valve 54 is forced downwardly against the seating pressure of the gas acting upwardly against the same and its piston 50. Thus we commence the second por-- tion of the cycle of operation with the unseating of the gas control valve followed by the seating of the liquid control valve 60, so that further upfiow of liquid into the well tubing is cut off, and the rise of casing pressure is provided for.

It is plain that with the'valves positioned as just above described, the second portion of each cycle of operation continues until the previously formed column or slug of oil in the well tubing -hasloeen raised therein, and finally discharged,

bringing about a pressure drop in the tubing above valve 54 as first above set forth.

In the above operation, the adjusted or set tension of spring 45 controls the volume of oil, or

I in other words the height of the column of oil,

which rises above the intermitter valve unit, since it cooperates with the hydrostatic head or weight of the column in forcing the closing of the liquid valve andthe opening of the gas pressure valve.

. The lower seat area of valve 5t! is somewhat larger than the area of stem 43 but less than the-total upper area of said valve and stem, and the upper seat area of valve 54 is somewhat larger than thearea of piston 50 but less than the combined area of its lower surface and the lower surface of thepiston 50. Thus the closing 7 force on each valve, when seated, is greater than the force tending to close the same when open,

so that a snap action results during each movement of the connected valves from one position to another.

As an example of the operation, let us assume that at an adjusted position ofthe intermitter valve assembly with respect to the normal level from the well flows upwardly from the extension 5|, valve housing 6|, past .valve 60, into the casing of the intermitter above pressure valve 54.

The rising liquid thus passes through the intermitter unit "and continues upwardly into the well tubing 'into which the unit. opens until a hydrostatic head or. column of oil is formed in the said tubing. The ultimate height of this liquid column in the well tubingis, of course,

dependent upon casing pressure, that is, gas.

pressure in the casing on the surface of the liquid in the well. This same pressure is also acting. against the lower surface of valve 54 and the lower surface of the piston so as to hold the pressure valve 54 closed. Thus during the first portion of each cycle of operation, the gas control or pressure valve .54- is closed, and theli'quid valve is openQwith liquid flowing upwardly into the well tubing l3.

As the column-of liquid above the intermitter valveunit increases, the pressure of such-liquid of liquid in the well, thecasing pressure would raise a column of oil 400 feetin. the tubing, the pressure of which column increases from Zero at the top thereof to a maximum at the level of liquid in the well. If it is desired to permit only a foot column to rise, the spring 45 can be adjusted and set to add to the pressure of a 150 foot column sufficient tension to cause shifting movement of the valve unit downwardly when a column of that height is above the unit. Thus a-column of oil of a desired height may be formed during the first portion of each cycle,'and blown out during the second portion of each cycle.

Since casing pressure on the surface of the oil in the well brings about rise of the column of oil in the well tubing during the first portion of each cycle, it is obvious that the time of completing the column above the intermitter valve unit may be effectively controled vertically adjusting the intermitter valve unit toward and away from the normal level of oil in thewell;

The closer the intermitter valve unit is to the level of well liquid, the greater. the pressure of the rising columnof oil in the tubing and the of operation.

-It is a well known fact that inintermitter valves operated by a head of fluid in the outflow tubing or eduction passage there is a tendency for velocity flow during the filling period to position. r

create a 'false pressure head infltheheduction passage, whichtends'to openlthe gas valveprematurely. This is particularly truewhenr flowing wells which have high bottom hole pressures,

orywhen the submergence of the tubing 'eXtension lll'lor tailpiece is great, as when the welllis put on production; after beingtidlef for a time;

Inthe present invention .thnextension of the gas valvebody in the liquid flow chamber; and the restricted opening through the jbody,s'causes apressure drop across the, bodywhe'n fluid flows therethrough so as to thus counteract the above mentioned disadvantagel i Having fully described 1. In a well? flowing f'devicaia body adapted forinsertionin a well pipe, having 'ad'edudtibn passage, a liquid passagje, and a passagefor the passage,.a liquid flowfpassage, educ'tion I passage through :whichliquid, entering through saidrliquid passage, is elevated by gas entering through said gas passage,- "closure, members for the. said gas and yliquid passages, "mov f able as a unit in said body and forming-a part the present invention, -What is claimed is, I

- tion passage by gas entering through the: gas

, said valves when it is open, in :order to impart snap action to the opening andclosing of' the passage,: unitary valves on said liquid flow pas-' sage member influenced in operation by pressure inthe gas and liquid passages for opening and closing the gas and liquid flow passages, the

valves being so constructed and arranged that i the force holding either one of said Valves closed is greater than the force tending to close either one of said valves when it is open. 5 I 6. In a wellflowing device adapted for insertion in a well pipe, an eduction passage, a gas flow passage, and a liquid flow passage member, arranged to cause: liquid, entering through the liquid passagepto be elevated through the educ tion passage by gas entering through the gas. passage, unitary valves on saidliquid flow pas sage member influenced inoperation by pressure in the eduction, gas flow and liquid flow passages for opening and closing the gas and liquid flow passages into the eductionpassaga the valves being so constructed and arranged that the force holding either one of said'valves closed is greater than the force tending to close either one of 7 tion in a well, pipe, an eduction passage, a gas flow passagaand'a liquid flow passage, arranged to cause liquid, entering .throughthe liquid pas Usage, to be elevated through the eduction pas of the liquid passage, said membersfhaving prese sure responsive areas, the gas flow closure them-g ber havingless effective pressure responsive' area exposed to gas pressure whenthe gas pressure passage is open than when said passage is closed.

3. In a well flowing deviceadaptedfor insertion in a well pipe,rneans forming an eduction passagaa gasflow passage and a liquid flow passage, unitary valvesfion the liquid flow passage means influenced in opera ftion by pressure in the gas passage for-openingand closing the gas and liquid flow passagesand causing liquid,

entering through the liquid passage to beelevated through the eduction passage by gas entering through the gas passage, the valve controlling ,gas flow being so constructed and arranged that the force holding said-gas VtIVGlClQSGd isgreater than the force tending toclpse said gas valve when it'is open. 1 M

i; In a well flowing device, adapted for insertion in a well pipe, an eduction passage, a gas flow passage, and a liquid flow passagelmemb'er, arranged to cause liquid, entering through the liquid passage, to be elevated through the eduction passage by gas entering through thegas passage, unitar valves on said liquid flow'pasg sage member influencedLin ,operationtby pressure in the liquid passageffor opening andgclosing the liquid and gas flow passages, the valve controlling l iquid flowbeing'so constructed and arranged that the force holdingsaid liquid valve arranged to cause liquid, enteringthrough the liquid passage, to beelevated through the educby pressure in the eduction passage, arranged to cause liquid,

sage by gas entering through the gas passageyaf gas control valve influenced in operation by pressure in the eduction passage for opening and closing thejgas flow passage into the eduction passage, and a liquid :control valve connected to the gas control valve-for positivelyopening and closing the liquid flow passage into the educ tion passage as the gas valveis respectively closed and opened, the said gascontrol valve and liquid flownpassage being i such that velocity flow through the liquid flowpassage transmits aclo'sing force to said gas valve tending to yieldably hold said gas valve closed and thereby hold th liquid valve open.

8. In a well flowing device adapted for insertion in; a well pipe, means.forming an edu'ction passage, a jgas flowpassa'ge and a liquid flow entering through the liquid passage, to be elevated through the eduction passage by gasentering through the gas passage, a I

passage for opening and closingthe gas flow passage into the eduction passage, yieldable means tending to unseat the gas valve, a liquid valv'e controlled by the gas valve for positivelyopening and, closing the liquid flow as the gas valve is respectively closed and-opened, said valves unit to positively unseat one valve when the-other valve is seated,and the said liquid flow passage being in part through the gas control valve,

uid passage with the liquid valve open, tends to transmit to the gas valve an influence yieldably holding thelatter in closed position td' thus defeat false pressure inthe eduction passage resulting from velocity How of liquid.

, 9. In a well flowing device adapted-for insertion inja well pipe, means forming an eduction passage, a gas. flow passage and a liquid flow passage, arranged to cause liquid, entering through the liquid passage, to be elevated through the eduction passage by gas entering gas valve controlled passage into the -eduction passage being connected and movable as 'a through the gas passage, unitary valves, one of which is effective'to open and close the gas flow passage into the eduction passage, and the other of which is efiective to open and close the liquid flow passage into the eduction passage under control of the gas valve as the latter is respectively] closed and'opened, the valve unit being controlled by pressure in the eduction passage to unseat one of'said valves when the other is seated-adjustable means yieldably urging. the gas valve to unseated position and the liquid valve ,to seated position, and means whereby velocity flow of liquid through the liquid flow passage withits valve open, tends to hold the gas valve in seated position against any false pressure in the eduction passage resulting from suchvelocity flow of the liquid. 7 10. Ina bottom hole intermitter, a casing including a liquid compartment and a gas pressure compartment, and'having' a pressure receiving aperture'opening into said gas compartment, an intermitter" valve including a ,vertically channeled body slidable in the casing and having a gas valve member, and an axial liquid flow stem,

one end of which has a' valve head'and the other end portion of which depends into the liquid I compartment, spring means adjustably in connection with said valve for urging the same away from the liquid-compartment, a valve seat in the casing in connection with which said gas valve member seats in-an upward direction in the upper position of the valve, and means forming a liquid chamber'in the casing and in which the. said valve head is vertically movable, said chamber having a lower" opening for communication with the'casing and a valve seat around said opening in connection with which the said valvelhead seats in a downward direction when the valve is in its lower position. w

11. In a bottom hole intermitter, a casing includinga lower liquid compartment and an upper pressure compartment, and having pressure receiving 'apertures'opening into said upper compartment, an intermitter valve including a vertically channeled body slidable in the casing above said apertures and having an upper valve member, and an axial liquid flow stem the .upper end 'ofwhich has a valve head and the lower portion of which depends into the lower compartment,

spring means .adjustably in connection with said valve for urging the same downwardly, a valve seat in the casing in connection with which said valve member seatsin an upward direction in the upper position, of the valve, and means forming a liquid chamberin the casing and in which i the said valve head is vertically movable, said chamber having a lower opening for communi-, cation with the casing and a; valve seat around said opening in connection with which the said valve head seats in a downward direction when the valve is in it lower position.

12. In-abottom hole intermittena casing in',

I eluding a lower liquid compartment and an upper valvehead respectively seat in the upper and lower positions of the intermitter valve.

13. In a bottom-hole intermitter, a casing including a lower liquid compartment and an upper pressure compartment, and having-pressure re ceiving apertures opening into said upper compartment, an intermitter valve including a vertically channeled body slidable in the casing above said apertures and having an upper valve mem- 10 her, and an axial liquid fiow stem fixed through said body and valve member, the upper end of which stem has a valve head and the lower portion of which depends into the lower compartment, spring meansurging the valve downwardthe casing on which the valve member and valve head respectively seat in the upper and lower positions of the intermitter valve, the relative areas of said valve member, valve head, and seats being such that the closing force on the valve member and valve'head is greater when they are seated than the closing force thereagainst when they are open.

14. In a bottom hole intermitter, an intermit zs ter valve movable as a unit, comprising an intermediate piston member having an axial hollow stem projecting above and below the same'and affording a lengthwise liquid passage, said stem having an enlarged head at its upper end provided with a downwardly facing valve surface therebelow the same, and vertically spaced valve members on said body and the upper portion of the said stem, valve seats within the casing arranged to be alternately engaged bysaid valve members, aguide member for thelower portion of the stem and closing the casing around the said stem below the pressure receiving openings, and spring means anchored on said guide member and adjustably inconnection with the said lower portion of the stem, exerting aforce tending to seat one of said valve members and unseat the other.

- 16. In a bottom hole intermitter, a casing having an intermediate partition and wall openings ing therethrough a liquid flow channel and movably disposed axially throughthe partition with portions above and below the latter, a spring adjustably in connection with the lower portion of said stem and bearing againstsaid partition to move said stem downwardly, a piston fixed on the upper portion of the stem and slidably interfita ting the casing above the said wall openings, said piston having vertical pressure channels and an upper pressure valve member, a valve seat ring within thecasing against which'said valve member seats in an upward direction, means forming a liquid chamberwithin'the casing having a lower opening and a valve seat around said opening, and a valve head on the upper end of said stem within said liquid chamber to seat on said seat thereof in a downward direction when the pres sure valve head moves downwardly'away from said seat ring. v v CHARLES M. OLEARY.

ly, and valve seats in the upper compartment of spaced above said partition, a hollow stem form-- 

